Gallup — Following this weekend’s authorization by the Federal Drug Administration  for the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services received its first shipment of vaccines on Dec. 16. The New Mexico Department of Health will ship the first allotment of 125 doses from its Albuquerque warehouse and will follow up with two more shipments, a week apart.

RMCHCS will follow the Centers for Disease Control  recommendation and administer the first vaccines to healthcare personnel who directly interact with patients and are at the highest level of risk for infection.

RMCHCS is working with the New Mexico Department...

New Mexico shoppers looking for a good deal this holiday season should be aware of scams designed by criminals to steal money and personal information.

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, in 2019 New Mexicans lost a total of almost $18 million due to a variety of scams, ranging from non-delivery of things people paid for to phishing and identity theft.

“Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people than ever are expected to shop online this year,” James Langenberg, Special Agent in Charge of the Albuquerque FBI Division, said. “Unfortunately, that means more potential victims of holiday scams. The FBI urges consumers to be vigilant and protect themselves...

BUSTED FOR MUSHROOMS, WEED

Fort Wingate, Dec. 7

A black Mitsubishi Galant traveled east on I-40 near the 28 mile marker. It passed through the construction zone followed by McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Johnson Lee, who observed it traveling 63 mph in a 55-mph zone. Once both vehicles exited the construction lane, Lee activated his emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop.

Lee met the driver, Cody Castillo, 25, of Lubbock, Tex., and asked him to exit the vehicle. As he did, Lee noted a strong smell of raw marijuana. Castillo was shaking and holding a drink as he told Lee he was going home to Texas from Las Vegas, Nev. Castillo denied having any marijuana in his vehicle...

When President-elect Joe Biden takes office next month, his agenda will hold the hopes of Navajo Nation leaders for the restoration of Bears Ears National Monument.

Bears Ears, which was two-million acres when originally established in 2016 by President Obama, was reduced in size by President Donald Trump in 2017.

“After years of litigation, the Department of Justice looks forward to the Navajo Nation having the opportunity to work with the other tribal parties and the Biden-Harris Administration in a collaboration of sovereigns to permanently restore protections to the lands and sites in Bears Ears, which have great significance to our culture, history, and way of life,” Navajo...